Running again Kenyan Drake has signed with the Ravens, his agency announced Wednesday.
Drake, 28, turned one of many high free-agent working backs out there after the Las Vegas Raiders launched him final week. The Ravens, who minimize their roster all the way down to 53 gamers Tuesday, may very well be with out projected starter J.Okay. Dobbins (knee) in Week 1. Gus Edwards, who was positioned on the reserve/physically-unable-to-perform listing final week, will miss not less than 4 video games.
Drake had hinted at his plans on social media. He tweeted Monday that he’d flown to an East Coast metropolis, and on Tuesday, when he visited the Ravens, he tweeted an emoji of a purple smiling face with horns, as some earlier Ravens signings have.
The Ravens had been anticipated to enter their Sept. 11 season opener towards the New York Jets with 4 working backs on their roster. Mike Davis began all three preseason video games, and Justice Hill is anticipated to contribute on offense and on particular groups. Rookie Tyler Badie, a sixth-round choose, was waived Tuesday however was re-signed to the apply squad Wednesday.
Drake, a third-round choose of the Miami Dolphins in 2016, is getting back from his personal severe damage. He fractured his proper ankle in December, and the surgeon who carried out the profitable surgical procedure advised The Athletic that the damage may very well be “career altering.” Drake performed within the Raiders’ first three preseason video games, averaging 2.5 yards per keep it up 12 makes an attempt.
“I always tell everybody that all broken ankles aren’t the same, but Kenyan had severe ankle injuries on both sides,” stated Dr. Norman Waldrop, referring to a left ankle damage Drake suffered at Alabama. “They weren’t just your run-of-the-mill broken ankles; they were pretty severe. … And some players, especially running backs, who rely on explosiveness, you never know if they’ll be able to get it all back.”
Drake, who joined the Raiders in 2021 on a two-year, $11 million deal, had 63 carries for 254 yards (4.0 yards per carry) and two touchdowns final season whereas including 30 catches for 291 yards and a rating. With projected starter Josh Jacobs and rookie Zamir White headlining a crowded working again room, Drake was launched. His $2.5 million base wage is topic to offsets ought to he signal with the Ravens, that means his wage cap hit would doubtless be small.
Drake performed in not less than 14 video games in his first 5 NFL seasons. He rushed for a career-high 955 yards and 10 touchdowns with the Arizona Cardinals in 2020.
The NFL Network first reported the Ravens’ intentions to signal Drake.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com